Deal with the Mistress

"I really have... gotten weaker," I mumbled to no one in general groggily emerging into consciousness finding myself shackled against a bright pink wall.

The room was extravagant, like a diamond hidden amongst piles of trash, it certainly seemed I was no longer in the junkyard.

Well-placed ornaments of silver decorated the four walls and high-priced bedazzled furniture made up the interior.

Including this was a large double mattress bed hiding in the corner, a muscular black and white wolf laid on top looking forlornly in the distance, as if I weren't there.

A technical whir stirs and my attention lands on the door meeting the eyes of the woman from earlier walking in with a kettle of tea.

"I see you've stirred, hopefully not from Sebas disturbing you," she remarked rhetorically, moving in, parading her fingers across me happily after setting aside the tea.

"Great physique, nice looks, and not half bad fighting skills... I think you'll do just fine."

"Just what is it you want?"

She avoided the question. Giving a sweet laugh she danced around the room filling a small cup before bringing the tea closer to my lips.

It smelled like jasmine, something subtle and refined. The smell tickled my senses and I recoiled taken aback by her gesture I glared back defiantly.

"No need addressing me with such a stare, what I'm giving you will do wonders," Jai exclaimed with child-like glee.

Depriving lungs of air Jai poured the fluid down my mouth the moment I was coaxed into taking a breath.

At the same time, the binding restraints loosened, and I found myself on the floor peering through my hair finding Jai waving at a luscious velvet chair sitting across from hers.

A game of tug of war emerges and my curious mind overtakes any thoughts of running out the door. I sit across the table intently waiting for Jai to finish her tea before she speaks up.

"I've been looking for someone like you and your friends for a long while. I think you'll be of great help if you're willing to listen."

"Jai, was it? You should consider it a miracle im sitting here, peacefully at that. ...just what is it you want?"

"A deal... no, a partnership. There's a task that requires assistance, to say the least, and from the looks of it, you need some as of now."

"Why bother risking your neck. Aren't you one of these... traffickers? Your outlandish and violent actions suggested you were."

"I apologize. Seems I've become too engrossed in my acts of boorishness."

"Nonetheless, I won't deny that I've brought previous product. For those who survive I whisk away for the same reasons I currently ask of you."

"So, in a way...you're not wrong, I am a buyer, much for my own goals, and if the labor is strong enough."

"And those who aren't strong enough...?"

"Assuming they survive I have not a clue. Tak doesn't share what he does with the ones I don't buy, I doubt it's anything nice like catch and release, however."

"So to receive your help, in short, we'll need to overcome tonight's entertainment. I'm guessing you won't be lending any helpful clues?"

"Exactly right. Ruins are filled with unexpected dangers, if you can't survive this evening's surprises none of you will be of any use."

"It's the best method to gauge what each of you brings to the table. Don't bother playing hero trying to take everything on solo, it's either all of you or none at all, understood?"

"...Yes...," Such a simple, mundane word should have been an easy response. On the contrary, nothing could have proved more difficult.

Unbeknownstingly I felt my teeth jammed shut against each other holding back the vile atrocities and emotions teeming on the tip of my tongue.

I clutched my hands swearing internally at her condescending attitude and the coy smile slowly rising on her face as she tickled my chin like a beloved pet.

I forcefully tore my head from her hands down casting my upturned eyes to the floor not wanting Jai to see the vile dislike building inside with every passing second.

Desperately gripping my shoulders, I take deep, loud sighs capable of reaching Jai's ears before managing an incoherent mumble, "Fine, but I have my own conditions..."

(Junkyard Arena, 10 P.M.)

Night had finally approached. Stepping outside there were stark differences compared to what I last saw this morning.

Festive lights accompanied a brighter cheerful atmosphere. Tables were stockpiled high with various arrangements for food, and a large open bar held an insane amount of customers most of who were yelling drunkenly for the entertainment to commence.

There lied many amenities meant for leisurely fun, but the one which stood out most was the hole lying in the midst of it all.

A pit at least sixty feet in diameter lay at the lowest point of the junkyard, perfectly within sight of everyone in attendance.

Ten vehicles circled the trap, the front lights of each illuminating the subject of its attention. Around them, four gigantic screens were hoisted into the air supported by twenty-inch-thick magi-ore beams, live camera feed of what was happening below playing across vividly.

The bizarre setting was similar to how sporting events would be set up and broadcasted. Similar to such occasions, spectators leered at me from all sides like rabid animals as I approached the ring escorted by Jai and her crew.

Peering into the dark depths I could make out the scent of raspberry, Leifa's scented perfume. She and Reis were already waiting below, the fact emanated a feeling of relief in my heart.

Yet, the nagging question of Thalia's whereabouts still plagued my thoughts. Sniffing and glancing about did naught to calm the unsettling nerves as no sign of her appeared before me.

Even after being forced into the pitfall with a brutal kick to the ribs my well-being was the thing I found myself least concerned with.

Hitting rock bottom face first I forced away any agonized sensations of pain and gathered my bearings snapping the cuffed restraints in two before setting out to find Leifa and Reis.

The time to kill had risen once again.

END